Hattie in November

Hattie has developed an appreciate for eating Daddy's chili. This time she (and neighbor Fenton) played the roles of sous chefs.

And some more pics from Hattie this month...

Christmas Decorations are Up

 

The tradition is set. The day after Thanksgiving, we head up to North Hills and get our Christmas tree. These girls couldn't be more excited for the holiday, and decorations can't wait.

This year, the right tree will be as tall as the tips of Clara's fingers raised high while she sits on Daddy's shoulders. It will be as wide as Pappaw can stretch his arms left to right. That was game plan before leaving the house.

And we found one that met our specs, and Mama went into the attic and pulled out all Christmas bins of ornaments and decorations. The tree was trimmed in no time.

 Hattie was charged with the ever important task of attaching the angel to the tree top.

 And we finished by hanging the stocking with care.

Thanksgiving 2015

Ah, Thanksgiving is the best. Ga and Pappaw were able to join us again this year, and we did it up right with a full spread. Hattie gave her first dinner blessing, a splendid outpouring of thanks and love for her family, flowers and food.

After the early dinner, we were all eager to get out for some fresh air and to walk off the turkey. The girls brought their binoculars for a spin around the neighborhood, and were quick to climb their favorite tree to scan for wildlife. Clara showed off some of her acrobatics.

Much of the fun of Thanksgiving is the lead up. Clara and Hattie were taking full advantage of Ga and Pappaw being around for the week.

Clara's Piano Recital

 

Clara started piano lessons this spring, and this Sunday was her first recital. She was well-practiced for Ode to Joy and Alouette, but a case of stage fright got the best of her at the last minute. We'll get it next year!

Stone Soup for Hattie at Arts Together

This was our third Stone Soup celebration at Arts Together. Hattie loved her some stone soup!

Christmas Traditions - Cameron Village and North Hills

It has begun! And a full week before Thanksgiving we find ourselves at Cameron Village first the seasons first meet-and-greet with Old Saint Nick.

There is a war abrewing between Cameron Village and North Hills to win hearts and minds of the shopping public. The kids are benefiting.

Cameron Village had elves on stilts making balloon animals.

Cameron Village had a ferris wheel.

Then two days later, North Hills had its tree lighting. This one always has the leg up in being close enough for us to walk to it.  Plus, Ga and Pappaw being there to participate.

 

And North Hills had face painting (though Daddy is not so sure this is a selling point).

It had a slope for snow sledding.

And North Hills had the big tree lighting, perfect for family photos...

Super Bubble Baths

The girls have moved to showers almost exclusively, but sometimes the allure of the bath (especially a super bubble bath) is just too strong to resist.

Sleeping Beauty Ballet

 Clara and Mama have been going to the Storybook Tales Ballet each year for a while. Now, as she approaches four, Hattie gets to participate, too. It was Sleeping Beauty and the Rainbow Fish. This is her trial run heading into the Christmas performance season.